A 30 year-old patient with no significant past medical history presents to the primary clinic with complaints of episodic headaches. The patient describes the headaches as non-throbbing, moderate in intensity, and located on both the left and right side of their forehead. Which type of headache is most likely based on the description of symptoms?

A. Cluster headaches is incorrect because cluster headaches typically cause severe, unilateral pain, usually around the eye or temporal region, rather than across both sides of the forehead. They are often described as sharp, piercing, or burning, and are commonly associated with autonomic symptoms such as tearing, nasal congestion, eyelid drooping, or facial sweating. The pain occurs in recurrent clusters, often at the same time each day. The patient’s symptoms of bilateral, moderate, non-throbbing pain do not match this pattern. B. Migraine headaches is incorrect because migraines are usually unilateral and throbbing or pulsating in nature, often described as moderate to severe pain that worsens with activity. Migraines are commonly associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and sometimes aura. The patient’s headache is described as non-throbbing and bilateral, which is inconsistent with typical migraine characteristics. C. Tension headaches is correct because tension-type headaches are the most common primary headache disorder and are characterized by bilateral, non-throbbing pain that is typically mild to moderate in intensity. Patients often describe the sensation as tightness or pressure across the forehead or around the head, sometimes described as a band-like sensation. These headaches usually lack associated symptoms such as nausea or visual disturbances and often occur with stress, fatigue, or muscle tension. The patient’s description of moderate, non-throbbing pain affecting both sides of the forehead is classic for a tension headache. D. Secondary headaches is incorrect because secondary headaches occur due to an underlying medical condition, such as infection, trauma, tumors, vascular disorders, or medication effects. The scenario describes a patient with no significant medical history and typical primary headache features, making a primary headache disorder more likely than a secondary cause.